Sgthkareli, 1956. ''I CPS. 1. I. 'S Mied SOOTH PACIFIC Cohrabemce : ^-^R U a U O D J to Opan in JI.U on Aiarll 2? Over Seranty Rs^Esentatives of Ei^Teen

II ^SgthKareli, 1956. ''I CPS. 1. i. 's miED SOOTH PACIFIC COHraBEMCE : ^-^r U A U O d j To Opan In JI.U On Aiarll 2? Over seranty rsêsentatives of ei^teen. Pacific laland territorioa will assemble st Hasisu, noai^^â, HJl, on April 2} for the opening of the Third South Pacific Conference, which will last tmtil May 3- The Conference la being organized by the South Pacific CoBmlssion, of which it is an auxiliary body. It will be held under the chairmanship of Sir Ronald Garvey, K.C.H.G., K.C.7.O., H.B.E., Governor of Fiji and Senior Commisaioner for the United Kingdom to the South Pacific Commission. Delegates will travel £roa aa far afield as Setherlands Hew Guinea in the wast to French Oceania in the east, and from the Trust Territory of the Pacific Is- lands north of the equator to the Cook Islands in the south. They will represent more than three million inhabitants of many hundreds of islands and atolls scattered ovar thirteen aillion square ailea of Pacific ocean. ObserverB will be present frots variouB international bodies including the Vorld Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and f^m universities, research iastitirtloiis and Bdssiosary organisations. At the meeting delegates will disouas common problems relating to the welfare and progress of their peoples. They will review the past, present end future work of the South Pacific Commission, an International body set up in 1947 by the • GoTemments of Australia, franca, the Beiherlanda, New Zealand, the Iblted kingdom and the United States of America, to sê reconmendatloBa to them for Improving the living standards of Pacific island ishabitanta. -2-

Ka^ topics that d^egatea will discuss relate to the economic development of the region. They include prospects for developing industries in the Pacific, co-operativo societieB and credit unions, improvement of pastures and livestock, soil conservation, and development of fisheries. Subjects for consideration in the social development field include problems of infant and maternal welfare in the Pacific, and the fostering of indigenous arts, customs and cultures. I^om-the Conference will emerge recommendations by delegates for further action by the Commission, its member govermenta and administrations of Pacific tei>- ritories. Commissioners of the six member governments, who will attend the Confer- ence as observers, will consider these proposals at a special session of the Commission that will be held immediately the Conference ends. fbllowisg the last Conference, which was held at Commiasion headquarters at Houmra, Hew Caledonia, in April 1953, delegates put forward forty-nine suggestions for the father econonio and social dsvelopaant of their island territories. At the coming Conference, a progreaa report on the present atate of mattsfa then dia- cnsaed will be tabled for the consideration of delegates. I CPS. 2 19th April, 1956-

ilHIRD SODTH PACIFIC COHgESgiCE Official Opening At Suva Next Monday

SUVA, Thursday - Sixty-six delegates (five of them women) who represent ei^teen territories in the South Pacific are assembling in Fiji for the opening of the Third South Pacific Conference on Monday, 23rd April. The Conference will be held at Nasinu five miles from Suva in the buildings of a teachers' training college. Here the men and women making up the Con- ference will be housed and fed and will hold their discussions on matters of interest to all of them from 23rd April to Jri May. An archway symbolic of liji's warlike past and its present-day fSriendliness spans the entrance to the pleasant college grounds: Biji war clubs grouped above the huge representation of a whale's tooth. Inside the grounds the flags of six nations fly from poles above the main Conference room - Australia, Prance, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. These are the nations responsible for the administration of the territories represented at the Conference; also they are represented on the South Pacific Commission of which the Conference is an auxiliaiy body. The delegates come from all over the South Pacific. They are being flown into fljl from places as-far away aa Samoa, Netherlands New Guinea, Papua, Tahiti and other Erencb Pacific possessions, the New Hebrides, the atolls of the Gilbert and the Ellice Grouj. The delegates from the United States Trust Territories will arrive in Fiji only a few hours before the Conference opens. -2-

The Governor of Hji, Sir Ronald Garvey, will officially open the Conference at 1020 hours on Monday after inspecting a guard of honor of fijian troopa. He will welcome the delegates and at the sane time talk ahout the work that will come before the Conference. Sir Ronald is also Senior Commissioner for the United Kingdom on the South Pacific Commiesion and he will be phaipnan of the Conference. Monday's proceedings after tha official opening will be devoted to addresses from the Secretary-General, Sr. Ralph Clalron Bedell, and Executive Officera of the Commission responsible for health, ^congmio and social development. The delegates will then elect a general committee which will be responsible for the conduct of the Conference. Standing committees will also be elected from amongst the delegates. The plenary sessions will start on Tuesday, 24th April. The agenda lists for diecussion questions of economic education and development, farming systems, co-operative societies and credit unions as a means of promoting the people's welfare, indigenous arts, customs and cultures, infant and maternal welfare. This Conference is the third of the series provided for in the • Agreement which set up l^e South Pacific Commission and it is the second of them to be held in Fiji. The Second Conference held at Noumea three years ago e::Q>ressed a wish to take a greater part in the actual conduct of the Conference business. One of the significant hopes of this coming Conference is that the delegates will do that by sending subjects to committees over which the delegates themselves will preside. That matter will be decided in the first plenary session. - CPS. 3 24-01 April, 1956. THIHD SODTH PACIFIC CONPEHENCE Official Opening By Govamor Of Fi.ii

Keynote of addresses at -the official opening of the Third South Pacific Conference at Nasinu, Fiji, on 23rd April was the emphasis placed by the Governor of Fiji, Sir Ronald Garvey, K.C.M.6., K.C.V.O., M.B.E., and other speakers on the value of the Conference in promoting friendship, progress and unders-fcanding among the Pacific islanders. It was a colourful ceremony from the moment -the Govamor drove under an archway of crossed war clubs and a huge representation of a whale's tooth (tabua), the ancient symbol of Fijian welcome, and inspected a guard of honour of Fijian troopa wearing full ceremonial dress — scarlet jacket, white aulu. Inaide the Conference hall were seventy delegates from ei^teen South Pacific territories, members of -the South Pacific Commission, and observers from international, scientific, universi-ty and miasionaiy organizationa. The kleig li^ts of movie and television units made the flag-bedecked hall a blaze of colour. Cameras recorded the scene from all angles, and radio units made a direct broadcast of the event. The delegations sat at tablea facing Sir Ronald Qarvey who, as Govamor, welcomed them to Fiji and also addressed them as Chairman of the Conference. Hany of the delegates were in -tradi-tional dress. Some are big men physical- ly, but -the biggest was dwarfed by the two sons of Queen Salote of Tonga. Five of the delegates are women. Sir Ronald Carv^ said he felt confident that the delegates' deliberations would add to the effectiveness of the Sou-th Pacific Commission, of which the Con- ference was an auxiliary, as well as promote a greater unders-tanding of common problems and a greater bond of friendship and common purpose in furthering the welfare of -the Pacific people as a whole. -2-

Xhe Secretaiy-Ckmeral of the Commission, T>r. Balph Clairon Bedell, said the two previous Conferences had demonstrated that sense of social responsibility for - - which the Pacific islander was justly famed, and had enabled a deeper insist into those complex problems of living in the modem world which must be solved if the progress now being made by the islanders was to be continued. The Conmiission's effective contribution to regional progress owed much to the counsel and practical assistance of its participating governments, territorial administrations, interested institutions, and its two auxiliary bodies, the Research Council and the South Pacific Conference. Br. E.H. Ojala, former Deputy Chairman of the Research Council, said the value of exports in the Pacific territories had risen steadily since 195?. Increases in prices as well as production had contributed to that happy result, but the gain in economic welfare waa no less real on that account. Community development, as he had seen it in Asian countries, Dr. Ojala added, was one of the most significant processes for human progress at work today. India had initiated a vigorous and well thou^t out plan for economic and social progress, and the whole population was participating with great enthusiasm. Yet it was esti- Biated that it would take twenty years to double the average income level of the people of India. Dr. Ojala said he believed that the Commission had gained greatly in effectiveness and prestige since the last Conference was held. Major factors.were the fine field work of project officers in the various territories and the fact that notable scientific and international institutions were increasingly using the Com- mission as a means of making their contribution to the development of the region and its people. Dr. E. Massal, Executive Officer for Health, said that health education, food and nutrition, and mosquito-bome diseases were the three main subjects receiving particular attention in the Commission's health education programme. The food and nutrition work was mainly concerned with the feeding and growth of infants and young children. Filariasis and malaria were the only two of many mosquito- borne diseases being studied. /over -3-

Ko-one was more aware than the Coimnission of the diversity and evolution of the prohlenis of the Pacific. The results were at the disposal of the islanders. Hons. E.J.E. Lefort, Acting Executive Officer for Economic Development, said that a review of development in the past three years showed a strengthening of the economies of many territories. Export of cash crops had generally increased, and there was a tendency to greater diversification. A' copra economy in the strict sense of the term had been retained only in the British Solomons, the Gilbert and Ellice lalands, French Oceania and Tonga. Cocoa exporta had greatly increased, citrus and mother-of-pearl were receiving more attention, and fisheries were developing. The approach in all fields of South Pacific activity, particularly economics, should be common programmea for common objectives as a means of enabling the islanders to benefit rapidly from tangible results. Mr. H.E. Haude, Executive Officer for Social Development, said there had been remarkable extension of governmental activity in the aocial welfare sphere of the islands, particularly education. But too much reliance on government agencies could be tinwise and do more harm than good to a community. Community self-help programmes, whether based on the village, district, or ialand, were the main hope for progress in the immediate future in all fields.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 4. 25th April, 1956. THIRD SOOTH PACIFIC CONPSREHCE Standing CommitteeB Formed For PiscnBaions

The Third South Pacific Conference at its first plenary seaaion at Naainu, Fiji, on April 24 decided to refer discussion of agenda items to two standing committees. One will deal with economic development, the other with social development and health. The General Committee of the Conference recommended that the committeaa be formed. At previous Conferences all agenda items were debated by delegates as a whole. The innovation results fjrom a recommendation of the Second Conference in Noumea three years ago that cliscussions would be more effectively conducted if the agenda items were considered by committees before being handled in plenary aesBion. Sir Ronald Garvey, Chairman of the Conference, said the committee system was breaking new ground at such Conferences. It was experimental, but he felt that it could succeed. The discussion recommendation was adopted unanimously after brief debate, the general sense of which was that discussions could be followed much more easily in smaller committees than in a large assembly. When the two committees met, Ratu Kara, leader of the Fiji delegation, was elected Chairman of the Committee on Economic Development, and Prince Tungl, leader of the Tonga delegation. Chairman of the Committee on Social Development and Health, Mstreas Lagrimas Untalan, of the Guam delegation. Deputy Chairman. A picturesque feature of to-d^'s meeting was the appearance of Tuli Le'iato, leader of the American Samoa delegation, in ceremonial dress: bare to the waist excepting for a lei of flowers, his lavalava of purple cloth held by a decorated fibre belt. Tuli is a hi^ chief who has had an interesting career. He served in the American MarJ^^from 1942 to 1945, and waa twice heavyweight boxing champion in -2-

that time. Ee is a church deacon, served in the Samoan police for ei^t years until 1955, and ia now District Ctovemor of the Eastern District of Tutuila. Tuli spoke in Samoan, setting a pattern in Pacific languages which other delegates promise to follow, as well as setting a fashion in dress, not only national but suited to the steamy weather of iiji. "X only wish", Sir Ronald said, "that we could all be as elegant, sensible and cool in attire". In other ways Tuli mads himself comfortable. A Samoan thanks his host at the earliest moment after being welcomed. On Monday the welcome to delegates was given by Sir Ronald Garvey as Governor of Kji. To-day the Samoan delegation took the earliest opportunity of returning thanks, the high chief being their spokesman. He hoped, he said, that the delegatea would speak for all the members of the Pacific family with the dignity and the language of their people. He ended his brief speech with the Samoan greeting, Soifu — Long life: A report on the work of the South Pacific Commission since the last Confer- ence was held in Houmea three years ago was tabled. Dr. Bedell, introducing the report, said it showed the work of many hands. In its preparation more than fifty reports, from more than a score of scientists working for the Commission in laboratories, in the islands, and at Noumea headquarters and in the Sydney office, had been consulted. Only items of major importance had been included in the report. The report was referred to the two standing committees for detailed consideration.

(Issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 5. 26th April, 1956 THBtD SOOTH PACIFIC C0NgEBH3iCE PiacuBsions On Economic Development The need for research into tropical livestock and pasture improvement was stressed at the session of the Economic Development Standing Committee of the Third South Pacific Conference at Nasinu, Kji, on April 25. The Committee was dealing, with a statement of the work done on Resolutions of the Second Conference held three years ago. One resolution noted that the South Pacific Commission's work programme included attention to tropical livestock introduction and improvement, and recommended that steps be taken to meet the needs of territories where livestock could become an important element in the subsistence of the islanders. The Chairman, Ratu Mara, said that proposition' had given the people hope that improved typss of pigs and cattle would become important elements in their subsistence. Dp to now little had been done. The people ^ould not give up hope, but should realise that the type of work indicated took a long time because of the large amount of fundamental research that had to be carried out. Mons. E.J.E. Lefort, Executive Officer for Economic Development, said such an undertaking could founder unless the necessary fundamental research was made, not only about the best breeds of cattle for the tropics, but also the best types of grasses. That was the main reason for the proposal to set up a pasture and livestock improvement station in New Guinea. Some differences of opinion about co-operative societies were expressed by delegates from Netherlands New Guinea and the Cook Islands. The Netherlands New Guinea opinion was that the greatest care should be taken before co-operatives were foimed. The Cook Islands opinion was that the co-operatives were voluntary, and that the islanders were educated about their purpose and operation. They were not forced to join. . -1- /Over -2-

TJje He* Guinea delegation (Australian) said there were now 198 societies in the territory. They had 54,250 membera, with a capital of £A.285,500, and a turnover last year of £A.965,605. The Cotimittee resolved to recommend to the Conference that the Rockefeller Foun(^tion be ;thanked for its grant to the CommiBsion to help in the campaign to eradicate the Ilhinoceros Beetle, that a coconut research station be established in |1 the South Pacific, and that a survey be made of -the possibility of expanding the production of sugar throughout the region.

(Issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS. 6 27th April, 1956 THIRD SOUTH PACIFIC COBPSREHCE Committee Records Appreciation Of Comniasion's Work I The Economic Committee of the Third South Pacific Conference on 26th April _ agreed a draft resolution recording its warm appreciation of the efforta made hy the i South Pacific Commission and its Research Council during the past three years to give |i effect to the wi^es and intentions of the Second South Pacific Conference. The com- ! J mittee recorded its views on the following: ^ ^ Tropical livestock introduction and improvement: the hopes expressed had not been fulfilled in some territories owing to the time required for fundamental and applied research, and the difficulties in effective extension work. Control of animal and plant pests and diseases: gratitude to the Rockefeller Foundation for its grant and to territorial administrations, especially the Ckivern- ments of Western Samoa and Fiji, for assistance contributed to the Commission's rhinoceros beetle research campaign. ^^ Inter-territorial transportation: special efforts should be made to collect and distribute information on inter-territorial transportation, especially for the more isolated territories. The draft resolution, which will be dealt with later in plenary session of the Conference, also considered that the establishment of coconut and copra research stations in the Pacific was a matter of urgency, in view of the need to improve the efficiency of production and the quality of the product to enable the South Pacific coconut industry to compete in world markets. The resolution concluded with the view that the action and the reaults achieved since the last Conference "demonstrate conclusively the sincerity of the six member Governments who established the Commission with a view to promoting the social and economic welfare of the area". The Social and Health Committee of the Conference has discussed two papers: J- -2- ' • econoniic education, and the ieportance of a soiind economic development to the welfare and progress of the people (Netherlands New (^nea), and indigenous arts, customs and cultures, and their encouragement and retention where useful (Fiji delegation). r I' This paper, prepared by Livai Volavola, a Fijian teacher, said that the change from the typicsal Fijian to modem ways of life (European md Asiatic) was rapid. Fijians ware now drifting into the towns because of money. If they could do away with money, the Fijians; it was felt, would welcome retention of existing crafts and the revival of some already forgotten. ;• Miss Hildegarde Naime (Papua) told the Committee that one of the customs of her home - New Britain - was to pay for brides. It was only ei^t pounds for a bride. Monsieur Kalsautu, a chief from a small island in the New Hebrides, replied that it would be a good thing if a few New Britain women were to go to his island, where it cost one hundred pounds for a'bride.

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(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commissioh, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) ^ , ' ' -'i CPS 7. (r April 27, 1956 THIHD SOUTH PACIFIC CONHcKIMCE Discuaaiona on Co-opcrativeB and Credit Unions

Co-operative societiea and credit uniona vere widely diacuased by the Economic Committee of the Third South Pacific Conference on 26th April. The Fiji delegation introduced the aubjeot with a paper on the use of co- operation as a means of promoting the welfare of the South Pacific people. Mr. K.S. Heddy read the paper, which made a comprehensive aurvey of co-operation and the various ways it is being introduced and practised throughout the region. The previous evening a practical demonstration of the credit union ayatem vas given to delegates by the people of Caubati, a village near llaainu. These uniona were introduced in Fiji in 1953. Rev. Father Ganey, a Jesuit priest who successfully established credit unions in British Honduras, is now in Fiji promoting that form of society. He conducted the demonstration. The Fiji paper said that the greatest value of the credit union in the region was the encouragement to thrift and education in the use of money. p Hatu Mara, chairman of the committee, said the credit union modified the custom of kerekere. They had seen that in the demonstration, which showed that if you borrowed cash you psiid back in cash. Hr. Reddy said a good start to training in co-operation was in the schools, with thrift societies. A more technical economic system, was rapidly coming to areas whose people until recently had not even used money in our sense of the word. Co- operation was the best way to ensure that islanders were developed and enriched by the changes, and not exploited for the eirrichment of others. Mr. Boe Kapena, Papua and New Guinea, said co-operation was strong and pro- gressing in the Australian territories. The two main societies were producer ajid consumer. There were also some building co-operatives. There waa no ui^ion of co-operative societies aa yet because it was felt that

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tha BOTanent was not yet strong endu^. !Ilh|y hoped eventually to import goods as i^- wholesalers, thna saving money. Co-operatives, Mr. Kapena said, were helping to form the general pattern of life for the betterment of the people. They were unknown before the war but the soldiers had given them the idea that they ahould put their money into buainessee. When war damage compensation was paid after the war the people had thought about doing that. The government had advised them not to until some training was given. Vfhen that advice was taken kt was a good thing, and the co-operatives suc- ceeded. The secret was hard woik by everyone. The man who did not work, even if he were the chief, should not share in the results of co-operatives. Transport was a difficulty, and it almost stopped the co-operativea. Now tho Bocietiea owned seven motor vessels and nine motor trucks which took their produce to market end brought back trade goods. The New Caledonia delegation said some agricultural co-operatives had failed because of bad leadership and lack of training. Now they were starting co-operatives education at the primary school stage. They were also hoping that small village co- operatives would be established without government assistance until the people asked for it. Mr. Apenera Pera Short, Cook Islands, said it was their firm belief that sound economic and social develo|ment of the Group would not be possible unless an energetic, practical plan of co-operative education was included. It should be introduced in two correlated and equally Important parts: co-operative education of teachers and school pupils and adult education. The two could not be separated if the beat result was the aim. Indebtedness WELS a major problem of the Group; whenever the Islander got money he spent it, often foolishly. The trader financed him with cash and goods In tomato and citrus growing. This encouraged indebtedness and was a cause of little interest being taken in better agriculture and marketing. It was felt that co- operatives were better for the Cook Islanders than credit imions In the beginning. Co-operation was now being taught in the schools, and there were saving societies in four schools. Real progress would be made by teaching the children.

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- . -3- Xhe Gilbert and. Bllic%.delegation s^d co-operatives were.already firmly ea- tablisbed in the Croup as part of its life and trade. There were, now sever^; extended activities such as tailoring, running-canteens, buying.cinematograph-equipment, and operating a building contractii^ business. Two i^ti-pwpose societies had -a ship which they operated together. • . --. ..--•. One difficulty was in finding sufficiently-educated and capable - persons to staff the societies. Thrift .and credit societies were not a pressing need except in Tarawa, where the-food was mainly-bou^t from_ the store. Elsewhere the people could live on fish and their own foods, and there was no .rur^ indebtedness. Training.in corpperation and co-operative principles, book-keeping, and'business organization .was vitaU.y. necessary .for .the islanders. It was proposed-to ask- the .Commission to investigate tte praqticaMlity of. esteblishing a co-operative training school so that co-operative principles and societies could progress rapidly, : Hr. Roembati, .Netherl^ds.New Guinea, said the people should be discouraged -^om adopting a.Smta Claus attitude of expecting eyeiythi^ from.the government. They should be stimulated to help toemselves,callin g on the government only if they really needed help.- Co-operation was hard business, not a gospel.

(issued from the Sydney Office of the South Pacific Conmission, , 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) (HOTE to EDITORS; This Press Statement covers the proceedings of the Third South Pacific Conference from April 23-26 inclusive. The Con- ference will cad on May 3). 27th April, 1956. CPS 8. THIRD SOOTH PACIFIC CONFEREHCS Discusaions Continue On Economic And Social Welfare

A hope that before long the conduct of the South Pacific Conference could be left in the hands of the delegates themselves has been realised in large part at the third session of the Conference now being held-at Naainu, Fiji. The hope was voiced by the delegates at the close of the Second Conference three years ago. They felt, it was said then, sufficiently experienced to consider the agenda items listed for the Third Conference in committee before they were passed to the whole Conference for final consideration. In this way, they said, the discussions could be more effectively conducted. When the Third Conference was officially opened on 23rd April the Covemor of Fiji, Sir Ronald Oarvey, K.C.M.G., K.C.V.O., M.B.E., reminded the aeventy delegates representing ei^teen South Pacific territories of the hope that had been voiced at Noumea three years ago. Delegates rose to the challenge. The first decision of the General Committee was to recommend to the full Conference the reference of agenda items to two standing committees — one to deal with economic subjects, the other with social development and health. The recommendation was adopted unanimously. When the committees met. Prince Ttmgi of Tonga was elected chairman of the Social Committee, with Mrs. Lagrimas Untalan of the Guam delegation deputy chairman. Ratu Mara, a young Fijian chief, was elected chairman of the Economic Committee. An almost immediate result was that the formality associated with big assem- blages largely disappeared. Delegates seem to be more at home in the smaller-gather- ings, and discussion is freer. -2- She Conference, opened at a' colorful ceremony by the Govenior of lljl has pro- gressed fnm the formal stages to the consideration of a large number of subjects of conson interest to all the South Pacific territories represented, in the sense that everything that is being done will promote friendship, progress and understanding. An. intereating sideli^t on the various topics diacuaaed under the three main headings of economic development, social derelopssst md health is that they are inter- lodced in their intention and their effect on the changing way of life of the islanders. It is evident from the trend of discussion that in the rapidly-changing conditions in the South Pacific, economic needs overshadow many other needs. These needs are encroaching upon ancient arts, customs and traditions, not the least, the greater tise of money in many of the islands. This was made evident from the remarks of at least two delegations. A Cook Islands delegate said that even ceremonial customs were being affected by modem economic change. A K-ji delegate said that iljians were now drifting into the towns because of money. That was the real reason why arts and crafts could not be retained. Among the aubjects that have created interesting debate has been the uae and developcuent of co-operatives to promote -the economic and social welfare of the ialand- ere. Descriptions have been given of the developnent of co-operatives in several territoriea, with successful results — in Papua and New Guinea and the Gilbert and EUice Islands notably. The picture from some other territories — New Caledonia may be instanced — was not so Rowing. Early failures were not regarded as being due to the principle of co-operation, but to its practice with untrained or partly-trained leaders. The need in these territoxles has been pinpointed aa education in both the principles and the practice of co-operation from the primary school stage. There was also the picture of a territory — Cook Islands is an example — where co-operatives were essential in order to develop the cash crops farming of the Islanders. /over -5- Ihe^Cook Islands .delegatiojiiholds: the fina belief that sound.-econdittio and - social developnent; of -.^e^Croup jfonldfoot.be possible-.unlsss .an-energeticr-ptaotical plan of .co-operative .education ig.inade, -the education .of teachers'-and .pupils, -and adult education., -i-. .. .-• • " ^ . •-- " - - ' -^r'..'""- .... .Indebtedness is a-major problem.of.the:j[&»up.- Aifactor.causing'th4t indebted- .ness was that the trader financed the fanner in the planting and harvesting :of such „:cr

• r . . (issjied. from the.Sydney office of.-the-South Pacific Commiesiotay , " " 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) % " CPS 9 28th April, 195b THIKD soma PACIFIC CONFEREHCE Proposal To Establish Co-operative Training: School

A plenary session of the Third South Pacific Conference now meeting at Nasinu, Fiji, will be held at 9 a.m. on Monday, JOth April. The main business of the session will be to receive reports and suggested recommendations and resolutions from the two standing committees — economics, and social development and health — which have been discussing the Conference agenda in the past few days. At its meeting on 27th April the economics committee completed its discussion of the Fiji delegation's introductory paper on the use of co-operation as a means of promoting the welfare of the South Pacific people. The committee agreed to submit for the consideration of the Conference a draft r resolution asking the South Pacific Conmiission to investigate the practicability of establishing a co-operative training school for the Pacific, with methods adapted to Jif the needs and legislation of administrations of the various territories of the South Pacific: to advise territorial governments to provide legislation and facilities for establishing co-operatives (including loans if necessary) and also information on co- operatives, so that if any people wish to begin co-operative enterprises they would be able to do so: to prepare studies on co-operatives in schools. The draft resolution also asks the Conference to agree with the committee's view that it is convinced of the great value of tte various forms of co-operation, and would urge the Commission to press on with a programme already outlined for their development.

I (Issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 10. •a- 28th April, 1956. THIRI) SOUTH PACmC CONgERENCE Diacusaions on Infant And Maternal Welfare [ The way in which the attitude of Pacific islanders has changed to the care of mothers and children was vividly described by two speakers at the meeting on 27th April of the Social and Health Committee of the Third South Pacific Conference at Hasinu, Hji. The speakers were Petero Solia, one of the delegates from American Samoa, and Dr. E. Massal, the Executive Officer for Health of the South Pacific Commission. Mr. Solia, a chief and speaker of the Samoa legislature, prepared and presented a paper on the subject of infant and maternal welfare "having regard to social services, community organizations and improving living conditions". This paper described Samoan traditional customs concerning new-born babias and the way in which those customs are in conflict with present-day public health laws and needs. Births were not private in traditional Samoa, Chief Solia said, especially ^ when a first child was bom to hi^-class parents. "Almost all of the village people are gathered to witness the newcomer", he said. "After cleaning with traditional oil the little infant is passed around to all the aunts and nieces, who amazin^y watch the weeping of the little one. All day long until night they remain seated around the baby's bed, singing and smoking, or snoring after being kept awake too long the nigjit before nursing both the mother and the baby". Those customs had gradually disappeared because they were too coatly and because public health laws had banned them. How, there were clinics in the villages for mother and infant. Mothers had become accustomed to the clinics and were co- operating with the work of the doctors and nurses. Dr. Maasal told something of the same stoiy about primitive communities. -2-

In their early hlstoty, he said, mothers and children were not paid much attention. ; Xhey were the weakest persons in communities ruled by want, fear and strength; they could merely survive. Progressively it was realized that mothers and infants represented an asset, ; and they received a certain ^ount of protection. Charitable persons gave some fur- ^ - ther help, but they were not numerous. The stage now reached was that social welfare services now included mothers and children. Thus, charity, assistance and welfare had been the successive stages in the ^ ; protection of mothers and children. There was need for the people to emphasize the f unique worth of each child and its mother, and to assist by every practical means social services and community organizations which aimed at protecting them.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) in* CPS. u 28th April, 1956. THIRD SODTH PACIFIC COHFEBENCE Discussions On Infant And Hatemal Welfare

A suggestion that family allowances should be paid to regular workers living outside their group of origin was made to the social and health committee of the Third South Pacific Conference on 28th April. The suggestion was made by Hme. Guiart, French Oceania delegation, who said this would be one of the best methods of ensuring the security of the woman and her child in the islands. The committee was discussing a paper presented by the delegation from American Samoa on infant and maternal welfare having regard to social services, community organizations and the improving living conditions. Territorial administrations should be asked to' institute the allowances, Hme. Guiart said, if the Conference in plenaiy session adopted the suggestion and decided to pass it to the South Pacific Comtni ssicn for consideration. She had in mind particularly workers in the mines in New Ceiledonia and men \dio deserted their wives. ^ Mahe Dli'uli, Tonga, suggested that planning and guidance be given. It might not always be possible for isljmd groups with a subsistence economy to pay money allowances. The best they could do was to give education and guidance in family planning.' Hme. Guiart said the problem did not exist where there was a subsistence econoiqy. The Nauru delegation said family allowances ^ould be made for all workers, not only workers who Mere living away from their homes. The Cook Islands delegation said infant and maternal welfare work WEIS started twenty yeara ago in their islands. So far no progress had been made. Before further proposals were suggested the Commission should be asked to look into the question of follow-up programmes. /over -2-

The oonmiittee agreed a draft resolution for consideration of the full Con- ference on the subject of economic education, which expressed the opinion that while the learning of technical skills in economic activities was important for the islanders, further consideration should be given to research into ways and means by which they may iecome aware of the basic conditions of modem economic life. A plenary session of the Conference will be held on Monday, 50th April, to consider the progress made so far with the agenda business by the two standing committees.

(issued from the Sydn^ office of the South Pacific Commission, .115 Pi lit Street, Sydney, Australia) ~ CPS 12. 30thA|a:il, 1956. THIRD SODTH PACIFIC CONEERENCE Joint Meeting With Sot\th Pacific Commlaslon

The South Pacific Commission will open a session — its fifteenth — at Hasinu, Hji, on 1st May at 2.5O p.m., then hold a joint meeting with the Third South Pacific Conference now in the seventh-day of its sessions, for discussions. This was announced on 30th April at a plenary session of the Conference hy the chairman. Sir Honald Carvey. Reasons for this item heing placed on the Conference agenda have heen discussed by the two standing committees of the Conference. The social and health committee decided there was no need to proceed with the item. The economic committee considered at a meeting on 27th April that the meeting should take place. Commissioners present were asked to ssy why the item had been placed on the agenda. * Mr. C.G.R. McKay, New Zealand Commissioner, said his personal view was that there were two reasons. The first was that it was a courtesy to delegates, thus enabling them to improve their knowledge and understanding of the Commission. There was much advantage to be derived from a free, informal talk between the Conference and the Commission. The second was that in such an atmosphere it could be explained what the Commission could do and could not do. Those fields were clearly laid down in the Agreement establishing the Commission. The Conference should know the Commission's problems, especially those associated with staffs and costs, and how the Commission could take action and obtain results. Hons. P. Benoist, adviser to the Commissioner for France, said the main ob- jection to discussion was budgetary. The six governments, he felt, should revise the

4 Agreement In order to restrict the Coiurm"salon's expenditure. Commissioners themselves may agree on a proposal resulting in the expansion of a work programme, but that was no guarantee of approval of the participating governments. Thua, he considered it would be difficult to discuss intelligently such questions as migjit be appropriately raised by delegates. The Conference agreed to the joint meeting being held. The Conference adopted resolutions from the two standing committees relating to:- Social and health: The South Pacific Commission's Literature Bureau; vocational training; community development continuation work; linguiatica; economic education; the role of custom in the social development or retardment of the islanders; improvement of social conditions by modifying custom; the Indigenous arts, customs and cxil- tures and their encouragement and retention where useful. Economics: Livestock introduction and development, particularly cattle and ' pigs; the production, export and marketing of fish control of nniinnl and plant posts and diseases; establishment of coconut and copra research stations in the Pacific; co-operative eociaties and credit unions, including the practicability of eatablishing co-operative training schools or courses for the Pacific. Ratu Mara, Fiji, said pigs were important aa protein in islands where fishing conditions were not favourable all the year as they were on the equatorial atolla. Poultry was also Important but little had been done. There was a legend that Captain . Cook had left some chickens on a small'Island of the Fiji Group; the strain had not been Improved since. Sir Ronald Garvey said the Govemnent of Fiji had imported Santa Gertrudis . bulls from Australia to improve the atraln of local cattle. Next year, twelve heifers of the breed would be Imported so that a pure strain could be bred in Fiji. The Conference sent greetings to Queen Juliana of the Ketherlands on the oc- casion of her birthday.

(Issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, AustraUa) i? - - ^ . -- . OPS 13. 1st Hay, 1956. mmv SODIH PACIFIC COSEBBEMCS Opening Of South Pacific Commission Session !Ihe fifteenth session of the South Pacific Commission vas opened hy its chairman, Dr. H.J. Levelt, Senior Commissioner for the Hetherlands, at Raslnu, Fiji, this afternoon (1st Hay). Delegates to the Third South Pacific Conference were present at the opening. Later the Commission and the Conference held a joint meeting, which was presided over by Dr. Levelt. In opening the Commission session. Dr. Levelt said the main reason — he mi^t even say liie one reason — for calling this session W£is that it was considered to be of the utmost importance that the Commission should devote, as soon as possible, its fullest attention to the recommecdatlons of the Coirference. Consideration of these was by far the most important item on the session agenda. The aims of the Commission could not bo achieved without the wholehearted co- operation of the participating goverments and territorial administrations on the one side, and of the Pacific peoples on the other. In this part of the world small fractions of the human race had lived for centuries in isolation on their islands, far away from the main currents of progress. That isolation had received a violent shock during the last war. Since then the pace of contact had Immensely quickened. In the Pacific, windows had been opened on to the outside world, and people were awakening from a cent\iiy-long dream. There waa ample evidence of a desire for betterment and improvement, for raising of living standards, for adequate food, good health, good housing, medical attention end longer life. The justification-of the South Pacific Commission was that it aimed to help the six participating governments and territorial administrations to enrich the lives of three million people living on thousands of islands, large and small. That was the Commission's only objective; an objective on which our fullest attention should -2- always be focussed. The CommiBSion's aims could only be achieved by maintaining close contact with both the administrations and the islands peoples. The meetings of the Conference were vitally important because they actively associated the Island peoples with the Commission's work. All the efforts of governments and the Commission would be fruit- less if they were not supported by the people themselves, and tiiey must be drawn into creative tasks. Delegates to the Conference were chosen for their knowledge of the needs of the islandersj they voiced the desires and the aapirations of their fellow-countrymen. It was of the utmoat importance for the Commission to know their wishes, and to give effect to their deaires. j On their return home, an important duty of the delegates would ije to encourage their people to co-operate by playing an active part in canying out the jprojects and measures designed for their welfare and betterment. Collaboration between the Island- I era and the Commission WEIS the whole purpose of the Conference. The conclusions reached at the Conference would guide, atimulate and encourage • the Commiasion in ita efforts to Improve the economic and social conditions throughout the area. In partnership with governments, and within the limits imposed by Its re- stricted resources, the Commiasion had striven during the past three years to find practical solutions for the problems which the Second Conference drew to its attention. The chief concern of that Conference was with economic advancement; promin- ence was again being given to economic issues at this Conference. That aeemed entire- ly justified, as economic development must underlie health and social progress. But the social and cultural implications must not be forgotten. Here economic development without social adaptation oould rather harm Uian profit those whose wellbeins aey sou^t. The needs of the islanders were manifold, but the Commiasion had to realise its own limitations. Its financial resources were small. Each government was well- I I endowed,'/'and to the develo^ent of its territories was devoting efforts and fimds which dtr^fed those of the Commission. ! ' "The Commission", Sr. Levelt SEiid, "is not a kind of fairy godmother able to provide for a territory what the territory cannot afford to provide for itself". Its task was to secure expert advice to prepare practical schemes and projects for the benefit of a number of territories faced with common problems, to carry out research, and to disseminate the results of its research in the territories* The responsibility for acting on that advice, for carrying out those projects, and for meeting the necessary expenditure rested, not with the Commission, but with the governments concerned. The establishment of the Commission was justified only if it proved itself successful in rendering practical assistance, and in organizing co-operative activities directed to a sound development and betterment of the standards of the South Pacific people.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) ^ CPS 14. 2nd May, 1955. miEI) SOOTH PACIFIC COHFEEtSHCB Joint Meeting With South Pacific Commission

After the fifteenth session of the South Pacific Commission was opened on the afternoon of 1st May hy Dr. Levelt, a plenary session of the Conference was opened hy its Chairman, Sir Ronald Garvey. "The idea is for the Conference and the Commission to get together in a friendly, informal way", he said. "Let hattle hegin". Dr. Levelt said the Commission welcomed the idea of the meeting. It was not only a courtesy to the delegates hut it was thou^t a useful purpose would be served. He would point out that the powers and functions of the Commission were limited by the terms of the Agreement setting up the Commission. The joint meeting of Coimnission and Conference lasted more than an hour. Two written questions were put forward. Both were from the United States Trust Territory. One related to bringing about cultural change without affecting the people's identity. I'The other asked the steps taken by the Commission to Investigate the drying of breadfniit, and to develop new strains that would provide "all-the-year" breadfruit. Mr. H.E. Maude, Executive Officer for Social Development, said he did not think there was any regional answer to the problem of acculturation. The question of adapting custom to modem living conditions had been discussed in the social and health committee of the Conference, and a resolution drafted. Mons. B.J.E. Lefort, Executive Officer for Economic Development, said that suggestions for drying breadfruit in copra and vegetable driers had been considered. No work had been done on "all-the-year" breadftiiit; that was a long-term job. Hr. Galu, Western Samoa, said that in his islands a small committee kept the people in touch with the work of the Commission. That was an idea that perhaps other , territories might care to consider using. Mr. J.K. McCarthy, adviser to the Papua and Hew Guinea delegations, said the Commission had been searching for a substitute for milk. That waa Important to Papua « -2- and Hew Guinea. Dr. Hassal, Executive Officer for Health, said there was no substitute for milk. It had been found that the best and cheapest concentrate waa dried skim milk powder. Hr. Hanea Tamarua, Cook lalands, said the Agreement setting up the South Pacific Commission provided that preference of employment with the Commission should be given to people of the territories. There must be a place for typists and clerks on the staffs of the Commission. The Secretary-General, Dr. Bedell, said staff waa a matter of major importance and aignificance. The idea was to give equitable representation to the islanders. If ^ applications came from ialanders they vrauld be considered on their merits, with the addition that prefe-i-ence would be given to them. Hr. K.S. Reddy, Fiji, aaked the Commiasion to name three of its successes and two of ita failures. The Chairman suggested, amidst lau^ter, that an outsider oould see both better than could a member of the Commission. The Secretary-General named as successes, fisheries development, nutrition, and co-operatives. Hig^ Chief Le'iato, American Samoa, thanked the Commission for its work for f the islanders. The Conference, he said, was a great experience for the delegates, but he wished that the islanders themselves took more part rather than the advisers to the delegations. Many of the subjects talked about, he added, were not clear to them. He would like to know how they could keep the islanders informed of those things. It seemed foolish to ask at the Conference for many thinga that it was the job of the governments to do. He hoped they would not let the Commiasion become only a place for talk and putting things on paper, but would assist it to do good things for the islanders. The Chairman then read the following statement by Hons. Philippe Benoist, adviaer to the French delegation, South Pacific Commission: "There apparently was some misunderstanding with respect to the comments I made before the economic committee on 28th April, for it was published that I wished ' ' m ^

-3-1

a reduction of the Commission's budget. Vhat I'intended to convey was that there have been discussions on this matter at various times, and that it should not be discussed in the joint sasting between the Conference and the Commission. I further add that neither I personally, nor the French Government, are presently in favour of a reduction of the total annual budget of the Coiumission". Dr. Levelt thanked the delegations for their questions. The questions that had been raised would be seriously considered by the Commission. Sir Ronald Garvey then adjourned the Conference until 9 a.m. on 2nd Hay.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 15.

2iid May, 1956.

THTBP SOUTH PACIFIC CONFERENCE

School Reader In Pacific Languages Protosed The increasing importance of Pacific languages has been demonstrated by their use in discussions at the Third South Pacific Conference, now nearing ttie end of its session at Naainu, KLji. This was further demonstrated on 2nd May, when the Conference adopted a resolution of the social and health committee recommending that a school reader for children twelve to fifteen years old be published in the major South Pacific languages, also in English and French. The recommendation, which was e:^lained by Andre Sarres, an adviser of the New Cededonia delegation, suggested that the book should include simple extracts from scientific and literary works, inform the children of the geographical and hiatorical diversity and the varied aspects of the daily life of the people, and emphasize the common features of the South Pacific civilizationa. Sir Ronald Garvey, Chairman, aald he personally was pleased by the recommendation. Such a book could well become a small foundation-stone of a Pan-Pacific nation. The Conference also adopted a recommendation of the economics committee that booklets in the vernacular be prepared on auch subjects as cocoa and coffee production. An illustrated booklet — "Wealth From The Coconut" — was published some time ago by the South Pacific Commission in ten Pacific languages, in English and in French. Another subject dealt with by the Conference on 2nd Hay was industrial and commercial progress in the region. A resolution on this subject from the economics -2- i'- ^ committee was adopted by the Conference. The resolution recommended that the Commis- sion: Undertake a study of the means of promoting village-centred industries, with particular attention to the possibilities of adapting successful industrial practices, such as the use of machines, electric power, and hi^ily-trained labour to. the potentialities of the village, and to the problems of adaptation involved; engage a specialist in the organization of small-scale industries based ^ in villages, to assist territorial administrations with surveys of the local possibilities and problems, and with plans for the development of efficient village-based industries; undertake a study of the problems arising from the creation of urban populations as a result of industrial and commercial development in areas which have hitherto relied primarily on subsistence agriculture.

The Conference affirmed recognition that some degree of industrialization of the life of the islanders, and some consequent changes in traditional village systems, f were inevitable if commercial and industrial progress are to lead them into more effective participation in the modem world. It considered, however, that balanced industrial development must stress village-centred activities as well as new factories and commercial enterprises. An echo of recent sea tragedies in the Pacific was evident in a resolution from the economics committee, which recommended that in view of those mishaps, in= volving considerable loss of life, administrations should ensure that adequate legis- lative provision was made for the safely of lives at sea. The Conference adopted the resolution, which also expressed concern that in some territories industrial and commercial development was handicapped by inadequate or expensive air and sea transport services. The Conference agreed to draw the attention of the Commission and territorial administrations to the problem which, the resolution said, limits the welfare of many of the islanders. --

I Resolutions based on the subject of farming systems were adopted by the Conference. These resolutions stressed the need for research directed towards: The collection, propagation and distribution of the more valuable strains of traditional subsistence crops (on this point, appreciation was ej^ressed of the work begun at the Plant Introduction and Quarantine Station at Naduruloulou, Fiji, with South Pacific Com- Isission support);

the ii^rovement of strains of pigs, poultry and cattle, and livestock management in the villages; the possibilities of introducing improved tools and mechanized equipment into subsistence and commercial agriculture; distribution of the knowledge gained from research and experience regarding the improvement of subsistence agriculture and cash crop farming as widely, and in as simple a form, as posaible.

A aeries of resolutions on the subject of infant and maternal welfare came from the social and health committee and was adopted by the Conference. The Commission was requested to continue its studies of the physical and intellectual development of Infants, and to pay special attention to the mother-infant relationship. The importance of demographic statistics as an essential basis for a more com- plete understanding of the problems of infant and maternal welfare work waa stressed. It was recommended that territories should expedite the compilation of vital statistics relating to infants and mothers. The Commission was requested to arrange for the continuation of studies of diet and nutrition of women and Infants, further research being considered necessary.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 16. 3rd Hay, 1956 THIRP SOUTH PACIFIC CONFEREHCE Regional Campaign Against Alcoholism The importance of collecting information on the means used to fight alcoholism in the South Pacific was emphasized in the course of a discussion in the social and health committee of the Third South Pacific Conference on 2nd May. Hons. Jacques Drollet, Tahiti, asked for the views of delegates. He said that in the Leeward Islands of French Oceania liquor was freely sold. In the Harquesas its sale was prohibited. Kaobunang lete, Gilbert and Ellice Group, said that in his islands permits were given to natives over twenty-five years and of good behaviour. The permits committee was composed mainly of natives. Rev. S.G.C. Cowled, Fiji, said that the permit system in Fiji was discrimina- tory. There was traffic in the liquor bou^t by permit holders. Hr. H.B. Orken, adviser to the Papua and Hew Guinea delegations, said that many sophi-sticated people in the territory were not permitted to drink, yet in fact they did drink and did not think it was a sin to drink. Those people included teachers, police, and government servants. Dr. Massal, Executive Officer for Health, said the problem was complex yet simple. It was important to teach the people how to use liquoi; not to prevent the use of liquor. It had to be remembered that some territories got revenue from liquor. John Spivey, adviser to the Trust Territory delegation, said that there were both traditional and Imported liquors in the territory. The municipalities and other local-government bodies had control of the question and did so in varying ways. Some districts had local option. In one district the value of consumable liquor was fixed at fifteen thousand dollars a year. About seventy percent of Truk district (population 17,000) was dry. Andre Barres, adviser to the New Caledonia delegation, said the results of a -2- xeferendvan had suggested that a better systen of control and policing was needed, including an import quota system for spirits and higjier excise, in order to make liquor more e:^enaive to buy. Hons. J. Guiart, adviser to the New Hebrides delegation, said the New Hebrides native was not allowed to have liquor, yet everyone drank, and it was practically impossible to control. Willem Inury, Netherlands Hew Guinea, said that in the urban areas spirits were forbidden to the natives but beer was allowed. Stores could sell only at certain hours. The few hotels were open for normal hours of trading. Some of the native groups were opposed to drink altogether. The Conference agreed a recommendation from the Committee that the extreme importance of campaigns against the excessive use of alcohol where such exists, be stressed, and asked the Commission to set up an information committee that would cen- tralize information and co-ordinate the activities of the territorial anti-alcoholism committees or other similar bodies. The resolution said the problem of liquor drinking and alcoholism was the problem not only of the indigenous people but also of other sections of the island communities. "The best solution", the resolution said, "could well be one that applies to all without discrimination". Hr. J.K. HcCarthy, adviser to the Papua and Hew Guinea delegations, said he , wanted some information on the subject. Was this a plea for a teetotal set-up? He - was chairman of a select committee on the subject and had studied it at first-hand, Irie eveiy good research man. The only result so far was to postpone a decision on i( the subject. I Sir Ronald Garvey, Governor of Fiji and Chairman of the Conference, said that me|thylated spirits had been increasingly used in Fiji fox boosting pui^wses (laughter). Ho had heard of a new drink with the name 'Fiji Airways'. He was told it was made up of cold tea, methylated spirita, and a little chewing gum to give it flavour. When he asked the reason for the name he was told, "After the second one, you take off!" (Renewed laughter). --

Tiie Fapua, Kev Guinea, and Vestem Samoa delegations, and Ratu Mara, Fiji, voted against the recommendation. Amongst items sutaiitted for inclusion in the agenda of the Fourth Conference are: A study of the role of custom and beliefs as a factor handi- capping the development of infant and maternal welfare;

a study of the behaviour of the pre-school child, and an attempt to organize its development;

native land tenure, and the ciianges brou^t about by the growing of permanent crops;

labour working conditions in the South Pacific territories;

soil consejrvation and reafforestation programmes;

timber resources and the development of markets for timber ( products. ' 1

Suggestions were made that the Fourth Conference be held either at Rabaul, in Western S&^ics, or Pago Pago in American Samoa.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 17. 5rd May, 1956. THUU) SOUTH PACIFIC CONFEREHCE ObaerverB Address Delegatea

Observers from missionary, international and scientific organizations spoke to delegates to the Third South Pacific Conference on 3rd May about their work and the growth of the Conference. Rev. C.F. Cribble, National Missionary Council of Australia, said the Christian church had pioneered many of the fields of endeavour that were now being taken over ly administrations. It waa ri^t and proper that the governments should take over that work. But Christian missions could still do a great deal to encourage the development of many things being done at the Conference, and by the South Pacific Commission. Right Rev. I.S. Kempthome, Bishop in Polynesia, representing the National Missionary Council of Hew Zealand, said he personally had been especially interested in the establishment of some central cultural institution in the Pacific. He had watched with considerable interest the work that was done in the Harlow Report for the establishment of a central vocational training institution in the Pacific. It Was with some regret that he found that influences amongst the governments of the region brought that to an end. There seemed to be jealousy between the different governments, and some nervousness about the integration of work along particular lines. Bishop Kempthome said he felt that to a great extent the Research Council of the Commission was a work which could very well develop into an institution of the kind in which he was interested. If the Council could be established ELS a permanent body, and collect to itself students from all over the Pacific, that would go very far towards the creation of a university. In effect, the CouixCil already constituted the central part of a university. Dr. F.C. Kamma, of the Missionary Board of the Hetherlands Reformed Church, -2- said that an independent church would be establiahed later this year In Netherlands Hew Guinea. It would be very largely controlled by the people themselves. Hons. J. Guiart, representing the fVanch Institute of Oceania, said the Institute and the Conusisslon had always worked in close association. Continuation of that co-operation was desired by the Institute for their mutual benefit. The problems had increased in importance since the first Conference six years ago, and the work done waa proving of greater value. They should become aware that more and more the Islanders would want action taken on the requests they made. Much still remained to be done to publicise what the Commission was, and to distribute its results. Dr. George P. Hurdock, Tri-lnstitutional Pacific Programme, said the experience of observing the Conference had been pleasant, profitable and educational. His organization was engaged in research on cultural change, social and cultural anthropology. Research workers were already in the field and it was hoped to send a team to Central Hew Hebrides later this year, a project that he regarded as bein ;; of the greatest interest. He hoped it would prove of equal interest to the Commis-. sion and of benefit to the people. Dr. Hurdock said he was personally interested in seeing some similar work being done by an islander in some small American community. The man he had in mind should be educated and have an inquiring mind. He could be from the Samoas, Tonga, Hauiu, or any other part of the Pacific. If there were such a man, he thouj^t that funds could be found for him to do a year's research into the social organization of a section of the American people. Mr. Colin D. Ewers, DHESCO, Paris, said hie organization, the Commission, and the people of the Conference had common intereats in many fields. UNESCO was fully Informed of the work that was being done ly the Commission. It believed that the Literature Bureau of the Commission was outstanding in the world; it had asked for a survey of the Bureau's work so that it could be helped in its particular fields. He was sure that if a request were made to UHESCO for aaaistance in some form of educational, scientific or social project, it would be very favourably received. -- ])r. E.H. Ojala, representing the Food and Agriculture Organization, said his organization and the Commission were old friends; they were joined in several important projects — rice, fisheries and nutrition amongst them. PAO was pa3rticularly interested in rural industries, co-operatives, farming systems, and it was happy to be co-operating in the development of those and other projects.' Dr. Harold J. Coolidge, representing the Pacific Science Board of the United States National Research Council, said that organization had aided three hundred and ninety-three American scientists to work in the Pacific, most of the research being in the Trust Territory. The results were of value to the whole region. That was so with regard to the woik being done on the rhinoceros beetle. Predatory wasps had been brought into the Palaus, being given V.I.P. — very important parasite — treatment, but unlike other V.I.P.'s they had not been fumi- gated. They seemed to have become established now after four years of doubt. There was also the Gonaxis snail, which had been placed on a small island to eat out the Giant African snail — Actaina — imported to several parts of the Pacific by the Japanese. Gonaxis, a small, carnivorous snail, was also a cannibal. It was a battle of David against Goliath. And it was more than that, because when Gonaxis ate up all the giant snails it would turn cannibal. The time could come when there was only one survivor of Gonaxis, and he could be dealt with by being trodden on. Three hundred Gonaxis snails were placed on a small island originally. In three years the-number had grown to an estimated thirty thousand. It was a hazardous island to land on, but soon a helicopter would take in people who would remove five thousand of the snails to other places. The work was of interest, but the scientists who introduced Gonaxis were now named "travelling snailsmen". Dr. Murdock also briefly reviewed the work being done in solar energy. He described it as "the poor man's atomic energy". There was little doubt of its even- tual practical value. Hauru, he said, would be a splendid place for a pilot project.

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) CPS 18. 5rd Hay, 1956. THIRIi SOnTH PACIFIC COHFglEHCS Closing Address By Governor Of Fi.ii Traditional Fijian dancing and singing brought to a colorful close the Third South Pacific Conference at Hasinu on the afternoon of Jrd Hay. The closing session of the Conference, which preceded the "meke", was — brief. The report of the Conference to the South Pacific Commission was adopted. The report contained the resolutions of the Conference, totalling thirty-three.-.

It said that -the items in -the agenda were discussed in -two standing committees whose draft resolu-tions were considered by the whole Conference in plenary session. "tfe are convinced", the report said, "of -the success of this working procedure and have s-trongly recommended its adop-tion for -the Fourth Conference". The adoption of the-report was moved by Ra-tu Mara, Fiji, who waa chairman of -the economics 'standing committee, and seconded by Mrs. Lagrimas Untalan, Guam, -— who presided over the social and health committee after the chairman. Prince Tungi, of Tonga, left Fiji a few days ago. ' ^ The Conference adopted -the report unanimously. High Chief Tuli Le'ia-to, American Samoa, moved a vote of -thanks tc the chairman of the Conference, Sir Ronald Garvey. Replying, Sir Ronald said he felt -that the standing committees system had been an impor-tant advance. The South Pacific Conference was now well established as an inati-tution. All appreciated its real VEilue in bringing the islanders together. To -the delegates he would say that the Commission needed -their co-operation

/over -2- io the continuance of its work. On their return to their island^homes, he hoped that they would do what they could to tell their people of the aims of the Com- mission and to further its work. He firmly heliered that the work had heen well worthwhile. He would, in closing the Conference, say to them: "Happy have ws met, happy do we part, happy may we meet again".

(issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Commission, .115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia) 4th Hay, 1956 SPC 19.

THIRD SODIH PACI?IQ COHESRENCE Siiccesaful Heatipg At Suva

Two things impressed observers at the Third South Pacific Conference, which was held at Nasinu, near Suva, Fiji, from 23rd April to 3rd Hay. The first was the increasing awareness of the islander that he is able to conduct the business of a large gathering. The second is his insistence on the dig- . nity and the use of his own language in discussion. Both were demonstrated at the Conference in its ten days' deliberations on matters that are of common interest to the peoples of the South Pacific. An innovation was reference of all agenda items to two standing committees. It was, observers say, a success. The delegates themselves (there were about seventy of them from ei^teen South Pacific territories) confiimed that. On the last day of the Conference they adopted a report for presentation to the South Pacific Commission, of which the Conference is an auxiliary. "We are convinced", the report said, "of the success of this procedure, and have strongly recommended its adoption for the Fourth Conference". It was interesting to watch the two committees at work. At previous Con- -j^ ferencea, with all delegates assembled in the one room, it could be felt that they were preparing and making set speeches.- As a result, -thou^t was not free. In the committees, with fewer people at the table, and with their own chairman, -the atmosphere has been less formal, thinking freer, and the expression of thou^t quicker, more incisive. This was helped by the greater use of Pacific languages than was the case ' ! . in earlier Conferences. The official languages are English and French. At Nasinu, Samoan was used by most of the delegates from the Samoas — Western and American; Malay by the Netherlands New Guinea delegates, and Pidgin by Papuan and New Guinea delegates.

• - 'I -1- , • ' -2- An ej^ession of consciousness of racial dignity vas the appearance of a High Chief of American Samoa in his ceremonial dress of lavalava and lei. He vas bare to the midriff and without shoes. In the humidity of Fiji, he vas the coolest- looking man at the Conference table. This groving consciousness was also evident in the decision of the Confer- ence, on the recommendation of the social and health committee, that a school reader be published in the major languages of the Pacific. The South Pacific Commission Literature Bureau has already published several booklets, pamphlets and leaflets in the vernacular — one entitled "Wealth From The Coconut" in ten Pacific languages. If the Conmission approves the preparation and publication of a comprehensive school reader, it will be the most ambitious publish- ing venture so far made in the Pacific. A conflict of attitude is still evident in the approach of the islanders to modern needs, and the (Ganges that must come in their traditional way of life if they are to realize those needs and benefit from them. The changes would come too rapidly to some territories, with damage to their people: those still remote and untouched by modem thought- But they are relatively few, and to most of the Pacific region the change has already come. And with the increasingly rapid change there is request for the things that will establish it: for new tools, new techniques, for new crops, for industries, for better livestock, and better methods of livestock and farm management. The old ways must be touched in the process. A discussion on the extent to which the traditional arts and customs coiild be retained was answered, perhaps too bluntly, but nevertheless realistically, by a Fiji paper on the subject, which said: "the main reason why the arts and crafts suffer is money. If we could do away with money to-day, I am sure that the Fijians' would welcome the retention of these old arts and the revival of some already forgotten". Thus, economics found the greater part in the Conference discussions and decisions: substantial things that relate to improved living conditions, better farming, marketing, better shipping and air services, the stimulation of all types of co-operatives. --

Xbat the concentratioa on substantial. things that are needed in order to i meet changing conditions vill go on, iS' erident from items suggested for inclusion in the Fourth Conference agenda i land tenure and the change brought about by the growing of pemanent crops, labour and working conditions, soil conservation and reafforestation programmes. Co-operatives and their use as a means of promoting the welfare of the islanders was possibly the most important single economics subject discussed. From -Qie discussion emerged the certainly that co-operatives are the best means of asslBtlng ' the Islanders to prosperity. But just how the co-operatives are to be promoted was not so unanimously accepted, the IMng that was accepted was that the islanders should be allowed to decide for themselves whether they wanted co-operatives. An observer said of the Conference that it had been pleaspt, profitable and educative. On the d^ the Conference open^, Sir Ronald Garvey, Governor of Fiji, put emphasis on the value of the Conference in promoting friendship, progress and understanding among the islanders. Both oplniona held true throu^^ut the ten days of the Conference for all who had anything to do with it.

(Issued from the Sydney office of the South Pacific Comffllssion, 115 Pitt Street, Sydney, Australia)